Fabric that has a specific repeating pattern on it has what is called a repeat. This is the measurement required to encompass the entire subject of that print. For instance a floral design needs to include an entire group of flowers within a certain number of inches before it begins the next set. The number of inches is known as the repeat. Because of this factor, caution must be exercised when making things such as curtains, that the seamstress does not inadvertently cut the print in such a way as to not include it in its entire repeat. It simply would not do to have flowers decapitated by a poorly planned hem! Thus the planning and execution of the cutting needs to take the repeat into consideration. Similarly, if too large a repeat occurs on a fabric to be used on a small set of curtains the design will be broken and possibly look like nothing more than patches of color without form or theme. Simply stated, if you cannot see enough of the design, you will not be able to identify the subject.

Likewise because we only see a small part of God’s plan, it can often seem random, unplanned and/or downright uncomfortable. What is needed is to step back farther and farther until the entire picture falls into focus and becomes clear. With a human being, when it comes to the things of God this simply is not possible. With that in mind it is best not to ponder too long and waste time with questions that can neither be answered nor understood. 

More often than not, when we persue our own plans, we fail to take God’s repeat into consideration, inadvertently cutting away and discarding parts of the beautiful print and altering His grand design for our lives. 

Faith that God has it all figured out leads to the peace that passes all understanding. Father, please never stop reminding me of this.